On January 10, 2024, the crypto industry witnessed a notable development. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the listing and trading of several spot Bitcoin
BTC exchange-traded product (ETP) shares. This decision raises critical questions about the SEC’s evolving stance on crypto assets. Is this a genuine shift in their attitude towards crypto assets, or is it merely a strategic move favouring traditional financial institutions? It appears that by approving these specific ETPs, the SEC might be selectively opening doors for established banks to carve out their preferred segments in the crypto market. This could potentially sideline innovative startups, who have invested decades in building this industry and letting the more traditional players in the financial sector take the frosting from the cake.
Photo by Muhammad Asyfaul, Unsplash
Photo by Muhammad Asyfaul, Unsplash
A bit of history
The SEC categorises most crypto assets as investment contracts, making them subject to U.S. securities laws. Consequently, issuing crypto assets requires compliance with significant regulatory requirements, a hurdle too high for many start-ups and even established companies in the crypto industry. It is crucial to acknowledge the presence of numerous fraudsters in the crypto market, and thus, the need for the SEC to become more diligent and strict. However that being said, it is important to emphasize that every novel sector invariably draws in those looking to exploit its nascent state for illicit gain. This pattern is not new; even the securities market, now well-regulated, took decades to establish robust regulations. This lengthy process of regulation and oversight development is a common trajectory for emerging industries as they balance innovation with the need to deter and manage fraudulent activities.
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However, one must question the fairness of a regulatory approach that permits established industries to take over an emerging sector, just right before it becomes truly viable.
Introducing Bitcoin ETF and ETP
According to Coindesk, Bitcoin ETFs are publicly traded investment funds that allow investors to invest in Bitcoin without owning the actual crypto asset. This setup frees the investors from dealing directly with the crypto regulation. The ETFs are traded on traditional securities exchanges, and investors buy shares in a fund that holds Bitcoin. While there have been many attempts to launch crypto-linked ETFs since 2014, the first U.S. Bitcoin ETF (BITO) began trading on October 19, 2021. ProShares, a well-known ETF issuer, was allowed by the SEC to create this fund. The fund debuted as one of the most heavily traded ETFs in market history, attracting more than $1 billion in assets within its first days.
In January 2024, the BITO reached its all high of over $2 billion assets.
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Although the SEC approved a few Bitcoin ETFs, in 2023, it rejected the applications to list spot Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP). The main difference between the two is that the Bitcoin spot ETP invests directly in Bitcoins as an underlying asset, whereas the Bitcoin futures ETFs invest in derivatives contracts based on Bitcoin prices.
One could ask – what is the difference between the Bitcoin spot ETP and owning the Bitcoin directly? On a very basic level, the first is regulated and in the majority of cases, managed by established financial entities, and the other is not, while the underlying asset is the same – Bitcoin.
Allowing for the Bitcoin spot ETP
The first application for Bitcoin spot ETP was filed with the SEC on July 1, 2013, by the Winklevoss brothers. Since then, multiple applications have been filed under the federal securities regulation, all rejected by the SEC on grounds of anti-fraud and investor protection. Meanwhile, the SEC permitted derivative products – the Bitcoin ETFs, creating a noticeable double standard. This inconsistency was finally challenged by Grayscale Investments, LLC in 2022. On August 29, 2023, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this double treatment as “arbitrary and capricious,” criticizing the SEC for failing to “ explain its different treatment of similar products.”
The SEC did not appeal this decision and instead initiated a review of 11 applications for Bitcoin spot ETPs.
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What does this mean?
The SEC approved 11 applications for spot Bitcoin ETPs, and entities such as Blakcrock, Grayscale, Fidelity, VanEck, ARK 21Shares and others, allowing them to invest in Bitcoin and create derivative products for retail investors. This decision culminated in a significant trading volume of $4.6 billion – on the first day of trading – January 11, 2024, indicating a strong market interest.
This situation underscores the need for the SEC to rethink its approach to regulating crypto assets. The current stance is somewhat paradoxical. The SEC imposes strict limitations on primary crypto activities and innovative start-ups, often suggesting a view of crypto activities as potentially fraudulent. Yet, simultaneously, it facilitates secondary trading through established financial institutions. This implies that only a select few are deemed capable of safely engaging in the crypto market.
The SEC’s approach of creating space for traditional financial entities in the crypto space while tightly constraining grassroots crypto activities points to an unusual standard of operation that may need reevaluation to ensure a more balanced and inclusive market.
My spreadsheet reviewed a WalletHub ranking of financial distress for the residents of 100 U.S. cities, including 17 in California. The analysis compared local credit scores, late bill payments, bankruptcy filings and online searches for debt or loans to quantify where individuals had the largest money challenges.
When California cities were divided into three geographic regions – Southern California, the Bay Area, and anything inland – the most challenges were often found far from the coast.
The average national ranking of the six inland cities was 39th worst for distress, the most troubled grade among the state’s slices.
Bakersfield received the inland region’s worst score, ranking No. 24 highest nationally for financial distress. That was followed by Sacramento (30th), San Bernardino (39th), Stockton (43rd), Fresno (45th), and Riverside (52nd).
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Southern California’s seven cities overall fared better, with an average national ranking of 56th largest financial problems.
However, Los Angeles had the state’s ugliest grade, ranking fifth-worst nationally for monetary distress. Then came San Diego at 22nd-worst, then Long Beach (48th), Irvine (70th), Anaheim (71st), Santa Ana (85th), and Chula Vista (89th).
Monetary challenges were limited in the Bay Area. Its four cities average rank was 69th worst nationally.
San Jose had the region’s most distressed finances, with a No. 50 worst ranking. That was followed by Oakland (69th), San Francisco (72nd), and Fremont (83rd).
The results remind us that inland California’s affordability – it’s home to the state’s cheapest housing, for example – doesn’t fully compensate for wages that typically decline the farther one works from the Pacific Ocean.
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A peek inside the scorecard’s grades shows where trouble exists within California.
Credit scores were the lowest inland, with little difference elsewhere. Late payments were also more common inland. Tardy bills were most difficult to find in Northern California.
Bankruptcy problems also were bubbling inland, but grew the slowest in Southern California. And worrisome online searches were more frequent inland, while varying only slightly closer to the Pacific.
Note: Across the state’s 17 cities in the study, the No. 53 average rank is a middle-of-the-pack grade on the 100-city national scale for monetary woes.
Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com
The up-and-coming fintech scored a pair of fourth-quarter beats.
Diversified fintech Chime Financial(CHYM +12.88%) was playing a satisfying tune to investors on Thursday. The company’s stock flew almost 14% higher that trading session, thanks mostly to a fourth quarter that featured notably higher-than-expected revenue guidance.
Sweet music
Chime published its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results just after market close on Wednesday. For the former period, the company’s revenue was $596 million, bettering the same quarter of 2024 by 25%. The company’s strongest revenue stream, payments, rose 17% to $396 million. Its take from platform-related activity rose more precipitously, advancing 47% to $200 million.
Image source: Getty Images.
Meanwhile, Chime’s net loss under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) more than doubled. It was $45 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with a fourth-quarter 2024 deficit of $19.6 million.
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On average, analysts tracking the stock were modeling revenue below $578 million and a deeper bottom-line loss of $0.20 per share.
In its earnings release, Chime pointed to the take-up of its Chime Card as a particular catalyst for growth. Regarding the product, the company said, “Among new member cohorts, over half are adopting Chime Card, and those members are putting over 70% of their Chime spend on the product, which earns materially higher take rates compared to debit.”
Today’s Change
(12.88%) $2.72
Current Price
$23.83
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Key Data Points
Market Cap
$7.9B
Day’s Range
$22.30 – $24.63
52wk Range
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$16.17 – $44.94
Volume
562K
Avg Vol
3.3M
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Gross Margin
86.34%
Double-digit growth expected
Chime management proffered revenue and non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for full-year 2026. The company expects to post a top line of $627 million to $637 million, which would represent at least 21% growth over the 2024 result. Adjusted EBITDA should be $380 million to $400 million. No net income forecasts were provided in the earnings release.
It isn’t easy to find a niche in the financial industry, which is crowded with companies offering every imaginable type of service to clients. Yet Chime seems to be achieving that, as the Chime Card is clearly a hit among the company’s target demographic of clientele underserved by mainstream banks. This growth stock is definitely worth considering as a buy.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Student athletes are now earning real money thanks to name, image, likeness deals — but with that opportunity comes the need for financial preparation.
Noah Collins Howard and Dayshawn Preston are two high school juniors with Division I offers on the table. Both are chasing their dreams on the field, and both are navigating something brand new off of it — their finances.
“When it comes to NIL, some people just want the money, and they just spend it immediately. Well, you’ve got to know how to take care of your money. And again, you need to know how to grow it because you don’t want to just spend it,” said Collins Howard.
What You Need To Know
High school athletes with Division I prospects are learning to manage NIL money before they even reach college
Glory2Glory Sports Agency and Advantage Federal Credit Union have partnered to give young athletes access to financial literacy tools and credit-building resources
Financial experts warn that starting money habits early is key to long-term stability for student athletes entering the NIL era
Preston said the experience has already been eye-opening.
“It’s very important. Especially my first time having my own card and bank account — so that’s super exciting,” Preston said.
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For many young athletes, the money comes before the knowledge. That’s where Glory2Glory Sports Agency in Rochester comes in — helping athletes prepare for life outside of sports.
“College sports is now pro sports. These kids are going from one extreme to the other financially, and it’s important for them to have the tools necessary to navigate that massive shift,” said Antoine Hyman, CEO of Glory2Glory Sports Agency.
Through their Students for Change program, athletes get access to student checking accounts, financial literacy courses and credit-building tools — all through a partnership with Advantage Federal Credit Union.
“It’s never too early to start. We have youth accounts, student checking accounts — they were all designed specifically for students and the youth,” said Diane Miller, VP of marketing and PR at Advantage Federal Credit Union.
The goal goes beyond what’s in their pocket today. It’s about building habits that will protect them for life.
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“If you don’t start young, you’re always catching up. The younger you start them, the better off they’re going to be on that financial path,” added Nihada Donohew, executive vice president of Advantage Federal Credit Union.
For these athletes, having the right support system makes all the difference.
“It’s really great to have a support system around you. Help you get local deals with the local shops,” Preston added.
Collins-Howard said the program has given him a broader perspective beyond just the game.
“It gives me a better understanding of how to take care of myself and prepare myself for the future of giving back to the community,” Collins-Howard said.
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“These high school kids need someone to legitimately advocate their skills, their character and help them pick the right space. Everything has changed now,” Hyman added.
NIL opened the door. Programs like this one make sure these athletes walk through it — with a plan.
